Skullcap is a perennial herb that grows in wet places throughout North America (American skullcap) and southeast Asia (Chinese skullcap). Skullcap is rich in minerals needed to support a healthy nervous system and is considered a remedy for nervous tension, headaches, agitation, anxiety, insomnia, hysteria, neurasthenia, exhaustion and depression. In addition, skullcap is often used to help with the withdrawal from prescription tranquilizers and antidepressants. The antispasmodic action of skullcap is useful for twitching or jerking muscles, trembling, petit and grand mal epilepsy, and heart palpitations. When combined with hormone balancing herbs such as chaste tree or false lunicorn root, skullcap is useful for sumptoms of PMS whles its anti-inflammatory properties can be used for arthritis. Skullcap may also help to lower elevated blood pressure.Precautions: Children should not take skullcap and should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Skullcap may interact with sedatives or drugs for diabetes. NOTE: These descriptions are provided for information purposes only. Before taking any herb or supplement, it is recommended that you consult your health care professional to ensure it is safe for you to take and will not interact with any medications you may be taking.
